River Heights Pavilion

River Heights Pavilion
Courtesy of People’s Architecture Office

RIVER HEIGHTS PAVILION

People’s Architecture Office

ARCHITECTS
People’s Architecture Office

LOCATION
Taiyuan, China

CATEGORY
Pavilion

YEAR
2012

AREA
1800.0 m²

Text description provided by architect.

The River Heights Pavilion is situated on the outskirts of Taiyuan along the edge of its famous Fen River. As the capital of Shanxi province, Taiyuan is an example of a second tier Chinese city developing at break neck speed.

River Heights Pavilion
Courtesy of People’s Architecture Office
River Heights Pavilion
Courtesy of People’s Architecture Office

The River Heights Pavilion is built on a typical blank slate site, yet counters the trend of low density housing developments. It is an urban project located in the middle of suburbia.

Within this empty context, the urban environment is most effectively rendered within the building’s interior, as spaces are organized to afford unique relationships between various activities.

River Heights Pavilion
Courtesy of People’s Architecture Office
River Heights Pavilion
Courtesy of People’s Architecture Office

For example, imagine standing in the lobby watching a performance, beyond which is a lounging couple in the courtyard, while above, office workers leave their desks to join a party in the adjoining roof deck.

The design of the River Heights Pavilion consists of linear blocks of varying lengths that are replicated and arranged to fit the boundaries of the site.

River Heights Pavilion
Courtesy of People’s Architecture Office
River Heights Pavilion
Courtesy of People’s Architecture Office

Each block houses a unique programmatic element, such as exhibition, lounge, and office. In form, the blocks alternate between single and double story heights, while interiors alternate between cool and warm materials and finishes.

This organization provides two completely different spatial experiences. Looking down the length of an individual block, one views the depth of a unified space extending uninterrupted to the exterior landscape.

River Heights Pavilion
Courtesy of People’s Architecture Office
River Heights Pavilion
Courtesy of People’s Architecture Office

In contrast, turning 90 degrees, one’s view penetrates diagonally through discrete layers of shallow spaces that reveal various activities juxtaposed horizontally and vertically. Furthermore, there is a stacking of views through the interior, exterior, and interior and exterior again.

The landscape design is an undulating extension of these linear blocks, each grassy strip separated by corten steel.

River Heights Pavilion
Courtesy of People’s Architecture Office
River Heights Pavilion
Courtesy of People’s Architecture Office
River Heights Pavilion
Courtesy of People’s Architecture Office


River Heights Pavilion
Courtesy of People’s Architecture Office
River Heights Pavilion
Courtesy of People’s Architecture Office
River Heights Pavilion
Courtesy of People’s Architecture Office
River Heights Pavilion
Courtesy of People’s Architecture Office
River Heights Pavilion
Courtesy of People’s Architecture Office
River Heights Pavilion
Courtesy of People’s Architecture Office
River Heights Pavilion
Courtesy of People’s Architecture Office
River Heights Pavilion
Courtesy of People’s Architecture Office
River Heights Pavilion
Courtesy of People’s Architecture Office
River Heights Pavilion
Courtesy of People’s Architecture Office
River Heights Pavilion
Courtesy of People’s Architecture Office
River Heights Pavilion
Courtesy of People’s Architecture Office


River Heights Pavilion
Plan
River Heights Pavilion
Plan


River Heights Pavilion
Elevation
River Heights Pavilion
Elevation


River Heights Pavilion
Section
River Heights Pavilion
Section
River Heights Pavilion
Section


River Heights Pavilion
Diagram
River Heights Pavilion
Site Plan